Good morning, Ithaca.

Tompkins County Public Library hosts board game club meetings every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Digital Lab for kids, teens, and adults to drop in and play games like Uno + King of Tokyo.

Michael Ramos is retiring as president and CEO of United Way of Tompkins County on Feb.

3 + he was appointed in 2023 and the board said it will announce leadership plans soon.

Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services celebrates 50 years of building affordable homes this year as it expands innovative projects across Ithaca and surrounding areas. (Founded on Sept.

28, 1976, it now supports sustainable housing across seven counties.)

Beginnings Credit Union will launch a month-long pet donation drive on Feb.

2 through Feb. 27 at branches in Tompkins, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Madison Counties to collect pet items (food, treats, beds, blankets, and cat litter) for local SPCA shelters.

The Newfield Food Pantry at 277 Main St has seen demand jump by over 40% in the past six months amid job losses and SNAP shutdowns, now serving 90 families every other week with meals + essentials on the first and third Wednesday.

An exhibition opens Feb.

5 at Carl A. Kroch Library and runs through March 24 to show Chuck Feeney’s photos, documents, and personal papers that reveal his business success and quiet role in the Good Friday peace agreement.

TC3 professor Janita Moricette has been named a SUNY Accessibility Advocates and Allies Fellow to boost digital accessibility and Universal Design for Learning across campuses; the program was announced by SUNY chancellor John B.

King Jr. last December and supports inclusive teaching methods.

Cornell’s CAS Dean Peter Loewen is launching a new course, GOVT 1109 (Disagreement), to help students learn how to handle debates amid differing opinions.

The course already has 132 enrollees and will feature lectures by faculty and outside experts.

The Ithaca City School District saw enrollment decline after data from a Jan.

13 board meeting indicated similar trends in other districts (Board President Dr. Sean Bradwell said no drastic changes are planned).

Teachers in the district cheered as board members ratified a historic labor contract Tuesday night in the Ithaca City School District boardroom—this deal introduces a step-and-lane salary system, boosts raises, and extends parental leave, and it remains in effect until June 30.

Nick Totman was elected fire commissioner in McLean and continues to serve as an active firefighter—he plans the first annual Potato Festival on Saturday, July 25 to fund community improvements.

Tompkins County received $4.7 million in grants from New York State Homes and Community Renewal to fund housing upgrades for seniors, veterans, families, renters and first-time homebuyers; the money will pay for repairs, accessibility modifications and down payments in projects in Danby, Groton, Dryden and through Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services.

Tompkins County lawmakers on Jan.

20 voted to ask DEC for a complete environmental review of the water permit for TeraWulf’s AI data center at the old Cayuga Power Plant site in Lansing. The planning board will consider its site plan next month — a measure to protect Cayuga Lake.

Cornell men's hockey is on a long road trip after an eight-game home stand; the team faces Yale at 7 p.m. Friday and Brown at 5 p.m. Saturday and if they win, can boost Ivy League title hopes.

Coach Casey Jones said the team is excited for the challenge ahead.

Cornell’s women’s hockey team will try to rebound in a doubleheader — hosting Dartmouth at Lynah Rink today at 6 p.m. and Harvard tomorrow at 3 p.m. — after scoring struggles, and former star Laura Fortino ’13 was named to the Italian Olympic team, boosting Cornell sports.

Sky Stories - The Round Time

7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Cherry Arts — Ticketed event — Experience the world premiere of Round Time, an aerial showcase of old rhythms and new cycles performed by talented female aerialists.

Ithaca Ballet: WinterDance 2026

Evening of contemporary dance — 7 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate 65 years of Ithaca Ballet with an evening of innovative choreography and performances by alumni dancers.

Princeton Tigers at Cornell Big Red Women's Basketball

5-8 p.m. — Newman Arena — VIP tickets available — Experience college basketball with premium seating and special game day packages.

Mutts Gone Nuts

7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticketed event — Experience a hilarious dog variety show that’s sure to entertain all ages.

Richmond Spiders vs. Cornell Big Red Men's Lacrosse

12-2 p.m. — Schoellkopf Field — Ticket prices vary — Experience a thrilling NCAA lacrosse showdown between the Richmond Spiders and Cornell Big Red.